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Shevardnadze ouster demand grows

TBILSI, Georgia, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Georgia's embattled President Eduard Shevardnadze sent in riot police Friday to control angry protesters demanding his resignation.

In Tbilsi, capital of the former Soviet republic, thousands of the protesters marched into Shevardnadze's office, vowing to stay until their demands have been met, the BBC reported.

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The rally is said to have been peaceful so far but riot police are blocking the protesters, who have formed a human chain around the building.

The demonstration comes after nearly two weeks of protests outside parliament in the capital since the Nov. 2 elections which the opposition claims was rigged in the government's favor.

One opposition leader, Mikhail Saakashvili, called on Georgians to stop paying taxes and hold a nationwide strike if the president doesn't step down.

Shevardnadze reiterated on Friday that he had no intention of stepping down until the presidential election in 2005. He has become unpopular in a country where poverty and corruption are widespread.

In Russia, the foreign ministry called for calm in Georgia, which has had a difficult relationship with Moscow in the last few years.

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